I start with all 6 heroes. The Chief carries a Boss Pole. Everyone has short bows and at least clubs to start.

I take at least 3 of each of the specialty goblins--Red Toofs and Sluggers, then fill out the numbers from there with regular gits. My pirates don't take the giant spider, but go for numbers instead.

Currently I have all 6 heroes with no major debilitating injuries. The Chief and 2 others carry blunderbusses. One hero carries the pirate's banner. He got attacks and strength early.One hero is a pistolier with dueling pistols. The shaman has a number of good spells and got attacks and strength early.

We play with the Sartosa setting rules for almost every campaign so I always hire an Orc Pirate and Goblin Swab as Hired Swords to bring 'Pirate' skills to the warband.

I loves the idea of an octopus! My explanation for the warband is that a tribe of Lustrian Forest Goblins happens to stumble on a beached ship filled with rum and humie weapons. Being goblins, they get drunk. Then the survivors decide to float the ship and sail the seas.